The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment organised a special ceremony under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan on the occasion of Seva Diwas at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, in National Capital here today.

As part of the ‘Ashirvad Ka Diya’ initiative, Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, lit the ceremonial Diya alongside persons who have successfully undergone treatment and rehabilitation for substance dependence.

The ceremony conveyed a strong message of hope, dignity, resilience and recovery to persons affected by substance dependence and their families while reaffirming the Government’s commitment to reducing the demand for drugs and strengthening prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration efforts.

Around 250 persons in recovery, who had received treatment and rehabilitation support through Grant-in-Aid Institutions of the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (DoSJE) functioning in Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas, joined the Union Minister in the ceremony.

Their participation symbolized the possibilities of recovery and reintegration and highlighted the importance of timely professional treatment, sustained rehabilitation, family support and community participation in enabling persons affected by substance dependence to rebuild their lives with dignity and return to productive participation in society.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Virendra Kumar reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening efforts for prevention of substance abuse, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration.

He said the journey of recovery is a journey of hope, courage and a new beginning. Through initiatives such as ‘Ashirvad Ka Diya’, we seek to reinforce the message that persons who have overcome substance dependence deserve dignity, acceptance and every opportunity to rebuild their lives, he added.

Dr Kumar said a supportive family and community environment, combined with professional treatment and sustained rehabilitation, can play a decisive role in the journey towards recovery and social reintegration.

The Minister emphasized the importance of creating an enabling and stigma-free environment in which persons in recovery are supported by their families and communities and provided opportunities to lead dignified and productive lives.

The lighting of the ‘Ashirvad Ka Diya’ alongside persons in recovery served as a symbolic expression of hope, renewal and a fresh beginning. It underscored the message that recovery is possible and that sustained care, professional intervention, family support and collective community action are important components of the rehabilitation process.

The ceremony formed part of the broader Seva Sankalp Abhiyan being undertaken across the country on Seva Diwas. The initiative reflects the Government’s emphasis on service-oriented, inclusive and people-centric governance, with dignity, empowerment and social inclusion at the centre of welfare interventions.

During the programme, Dr. Virendra Kumar also visited an exclusive exhibition of original paintings depicting the life and journey of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, being held at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre.

The exhibition presenting the Prime Minister’s journey through a collection of 76 original artworks portraying various facets and milestones of his public life, is being held for six days and will remain open until 20^th of this month.

Joint Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice And Empowerment Dr Sandeep R Rathod, Director Shri Astik Kumar Pandey, DAIC Director Shri Akash Patil, senior officers of the Ministry, cross section of people, civil society members and other stakeholders were also present on the occasion.

Through its programmes for prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration, the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment continues to work towards strengthening institutional support for persons affected by substance dependence and facilitating their return to dignified and productive lives.

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